Saw the Angels come through my AF base to refuel once. The last plane that launched, came back around and did a LOW flyby INVERTED over the top of our runway.

I've seen the Blue Angels, and I've seen the Thunder Birds both perform. The Blue Angels should just stay parked.

The Blue Angels performed at Thunder Over Louisville last year, and if the Air Boss has his way it was the last time they will perform at T.O.L.. The Air Guard said if they come back they can park some place else.

A democracy is 2 wolves and a sheep voting on what's for lunch. A republic is a well armed sheep disputing the results.--Benjamin Franklin

Saw the Angels come through my AF base to refuel once. The last plane that launched, came back around and did a LOW flyby INVERTED over the top of our runway.

I've seen the Blue Angels, and I've seen the Thunder Birds both perform. The Blue Angels should just stay parked.

The Blue Angels performed at Thunder Over Louisville last year, and if the Air Boss has his way it was the last time they will perform at T.O.L.. The Air Guard said if they come back they can park some place else.

Attitude has a lot to do with it. When you come to a big airshow with several teams and demonstrations alllllll day long you shouldn't act like your the only ones performing, and eveyone else has to work around you. You should also be willing and grateful to share the ramp with the other Military aircraft that are performing.

In the public's eyes they were great. To everyone that had to work with them, they were premadonna's, and a little more.

I also happen to think the T-Birds put on a better show, but I'm kinda a Air Force guy.

A democracy is 2 wolves and a sheep voting on what's for lunch. A republic is a well armed sheep disputing the results.--Benjamin Franklin

Attitude has a lot to do with it. When you come to a big airshow with several teams and demonstrations alllllll day long you shouldn't act like your the only ones performing, and eveyone else has to work around you. You should also be willing and grateful to share the ramp with the other Military aircraft that are performing.

In the public's eyes they were great. To everyone that had to work with them, they were premadonna's, and a little more.

I also happen to think the T-Birds put on a better show, but I'm kinda a Air Force guy.

Could some of the issues you mention have anything to do with safety considerations? Logistically, they have to transport a large amount of gear -- a C130, 7 F/A-18s, a large maintenance and ground crew, etc. They need to have radio communications clear so they can communicate the maneuvers and timing between pilots, and if anything interferes with their comm channel, it can be deadly. They need to survey the show site days in advance for reference landmarks for timing, alignment, etc. They had a pilot killed 3 years ago during a demonstration, so they have very strict safety protocol. There may have been issues with the configuration of the airport you're referring to. I've seen them and the T-birds multiple times locally, and they shared the tarmac with many other aircraft; they just need extra space because of the manner in which they start up and taxi their jets to the runway. Also keep in mind that the march to the planes, startup, and control surface checks with the ground crew are all part of the show too, so they can't have aircraft blocking the view from show center.

Not saying any of the above was the case at your particular location, just that it may help explain what the deal is. They are like any other military jet team in that they have strict requirements for the show site in order to perform.

Ted

Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle.

As I remember, most of the issues occured the day before and day of the show. I know the Air Boss and we usually have a drink with him after the show. Not that I've never seen him mad before, or that he won't bitch about anything, but this time he was pissed and giving a list of other folks who were put out with the Blue Angles. I did know there were issues at the Guard ramp over parking with all the Mil. aircraft parked there. The guard ramp is closed to the public and not visible off the port. Hell I can't even get on their ramp now, unless invited to take a report. So only other military folks could see their march to the aircraft show.

Gotta go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Blue Angels wanted the GPS coordinates of exactly where they were going to park their aircraft a month before the show (I think this is when the friction started with the air boss), and there was no way to accomidate them then. The Air Boss said the individual aviators were great people, but he didn't care much for the Blue Angel organization.

If the Ky. Derby Festaval folks want the Angels back and their willing to come then they will be at Thunder Over Looneyville.

It don't matter to me. I just get to watch them fly in and out of the port.

Edited by BeltFed - March/30/2010 at 13:58

A democracy is 2 wolves and a sheep voting on what's for lunch. A republic is a well armed sheep disputing the results.--Benjamin Franklin

I have been to about 20 Blue Angel shows. Got the privilege of sitting 60 ft from the end of the runway for one of their practices. I have also been to about 12 Tbird shows. And have seen the F-14 and F-15 demonstration teams. My opinion is that the Tbird tend to be a little more daring in their stunts. The Blue Angels are better at the precision formation flying. It was really cool watching Fat Albert do a low pass 20 ft off the deck at 350 mph. Another cool low pass was at the Blue Angels beach show in Pensacola. Amazing watching them create their own wake and then pull of for the piers.

I like the Tbirds after show taxi and presentation better.

To be prepared for War is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.

The two best shows if seen, one was on radar ( actual combat flights of the IDF ) an one during a fleet exercise off Hawaii. When the Hornet flew over my head at about 100 feet of the deck, I thought that's odd I didn't hear him sneek up on me! That's right about the time the BOOM hit! The other I'll tell in a PM. But will not post in general area. They still may use the same techniques.

"Don't argue with a fool! From a distance you can't really tell who's who!"

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